Tool for torquing and crimping fasteners

ABSTRACT

A tool for driving and setting fasteners generally of the type shown in the U.S. Pat. to Orloff et al. No. 3,421,562 issued Jan. 14, 1969; this application is a continuation in part of the copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 112,746, filed Feb. 4, 1971, now abandoned.

Unite States Patent Pinkerton 1 Feb, 19, 1974 [5 TOOL FOR TORQUING AND CRIMlPllNG 3,028,987 4/1962 Van Hecke 72 391 FASTENERS 3,478,564 11/1969 Hurd 72/391 3,479,714 11/1969 Allsop t 29/200 B Inventor: William Pinkerton, Dearborn 3,603,132 9/1971 1111111185.... 29/437 x Heights, M1011. 3,653,802 4/1972 Weiss 29/200 B [73] Assignee: Huck Manufacturing Company,

Detrmt Mlch Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr. [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1971 Assistant ExaminerJ. C. Peters PP No-z 180,328 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness. Dickey & P1erce Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Set. No. 112,746, Feb. 4,

1971, abandoned. ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 81/10 A tool for driving and setting fasteners generally of the [51] Int. C1 1325b 27/00 type shown in the U.S. Pat. to Orloff et al. No. [58] Field 01 Search 29/240, 200 B, 437, 517; 3,421,562 issued Jan. 14, 1969; this application is a 81/10; 72/391, 402 continuation in part of the co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 1 12,746, filed Feb. 4, 1971, now aban- [56] References Cited doned.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,925,714 9/1933 Crist 81/10 36 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 1 M i a c, M I A A A 77 v j z 77 A i [7 A T I m V 7/ m 1 =5 7*? 1fflfi 1 11 1 *1 WA 1111,11J Z2 11111111111 11 H if 1 H15 '1 111 J I 7 /7 2% 1 7 .{4 }/P V 7 4 i l M M l 47 a TOOL FOR TORQIUING AND CRIMIPING FASTENERS SUMMARY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tools for setting fasteners and more particularly tools for setting fasteners by crimping.

In applying fasteners of the type shown in the above noted Orloff et al patent a nut is first threaded onto a 1 bolt member and then the nut is crimped to provide a fastened joint having desired pretensioning. In the present invention, a tool is provided which operates from a rotary drive and automatically torques and crimps the nut onto the bolt member all in response to a rotary input. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool which will automatically torque and crimp the nut onto the bolt in response to a rotary input.

In setting fasteners of the type noted, it is important that the torquing of the nut be completed prior to the nut being crimped into the threads or grooves of the bolt. In the present invention the application of a crimping force is held off generally by a force or load in the coupling structure which converts, in a sense, the rotary input torque into the torquing and crimping output. The magnitude of this force or load increases with the magnitude of the torque resulting in a tool which operates in a sequence of continuous steps alternating between nut torquing and nut crimping. As will be seen this is done with a tool having a relatively simple construction. Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the above described type in which a force or load responsive coupling is used to sense input torque and to actuate crimping in response to the magnitude of the coupling load.

In one form of the invention frictional loads have been minimized by providing a tool with an antifriction bearing structure such as a recirculating ball nut. Therefore it is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the type noted in which friction has been minimized via the use of an antrifriction bearing structure.

In another form of the invention a tool has been provided in which input force requirements have been reduced by the use of torque multiplying apparatus such as a planetary gear set. Therefore it is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the type noted in which input forces have been reduced via torque multiplying apparatus.

In the present invention the tool is provided with a plurality of crimping jaws which perform the crimping function; in addition in a preferred embodiment the jaws also grip the nut to perform the torquing function. Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the above described type in which the jaws, which crimp the nut, also grip the nut for torquing.

The tool ofthe present invention can be used to drive and set a nut which has a generally uniform outer surface, i.e. an irregular surface such as a hex head is not rquired. Therefore it is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the above described type which can set a fastener member which has a generally uniform outer surface.

It is another general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tool for torquing and crimping fasteners.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a longitudinal, sectional view of one form of 0 a tool embodying features of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views of the tool of FIG. 1 taken substantially along the lines 2-2, 33 and 4-4, respectively, in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1 depicting the tool in its crimping operation;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a different form of a tool embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal, fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of a tool embodying features of the present invention;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views of the tool taken generally along the lines 8-8, 9-9 and III-10, respectively, in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the tool of FIG. 7 taken generally along the lines 11-11; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the tool of FIG. 7 taken generally along the lines 12-12 in FIG. 8.

Looking now to FIGs. 1-5, a tool assembly 10 is shown for setting a fastener assembly 12 which is used to secure together a pair of workpieces 14, 16. The fas tener assembly 12 can be of the type shown and described in the above noted patent to Orloff et al. and as such includes a threaded bolt 18 and a complementarily threaded nut 20. The nut 20 has an outer hex por' tion 22 and a rearward annular or uniform portion 24. The fastener assembly 12 is set, in accordance with the Orloff et al patent (supra), by torquing the nut 20 onto the bolt 18 drawing the workpieces 14, 16 and then crimping the portion 24 radially inwardly to elongate the nut 20 and to thereby provide the desired pretensioning of the fastened joint. The torquing and crimping of the nut 20 is done by the tool 10.

The tool 10 has a generally bell shaped collet member 26 which terminates at its forward end in an enlarged diameter portion 28 having a plurality of slots 30. A plurality of separate, crimping jaws or fingers 32 are located in collet 26 and are supported on a draw bar 34 for reciprocable, longitudinalmovement relative to the collet member 26. The jaws 32 terminate at their forward ends in radially inwardly extending and tapering teeth 35, which perform the crimping action on the nut 20. The jaws 32 have flat, tapered outer surface portions 36 which are located in the slots 30; the engaging, outer surface of slot 30 is of a shaft which is complementary with the shape of the jaw surface portions 36. An elongated portion 38 connects the forward portion ofjaws 32 with an elarged terminating end section 40 which is of a generally rectangular shape. The end section 40 is located within a groove 42 defined at the forward end of draw bar 34 by a pair of spaced flanges 44 and 45. The groove 42 has a square cross section as does the flange 45, in this way a rotary drive connection is provided between the draw bar 34 and the jaws 32. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the jaws 32 are radially positioned by the groove 42 and the internal, confronting surface 46 of the collet 26. With the structure as shown and described, as the collet 26 is moved forwardly relative to the draw bar 34 and jaws 32, the forward portion of the jaws 32 will be moved radially inwardly with the teeth 35 crimping the portion 24 of the nut 20. In order to properly position the teeth 35 of the jaws 32 over the nut portion 24, a cup shaped locating member 48 is held to the forward end of the draw bar 34 at a selected location by a bolt 50. A plurality of conical spring washers 52 hold the locating member 48 against the head of the bolt 50. The locat ing member 48 is of a size to fit over the shank of bolt 18 whereby its outer end engages the forward end of the nut 20; this positions the teeth 35 relative to the nut 20. The conical spring washers 52 permit the locating member 48 to move rearwardly relative to the draw bar 34 to compensate for elongation of the nut 20 resulting from crimping by the jaws 32.

The collet 26 terminates at its rearward end in a reduced diameter portion 54. The portion 54 has a through bore 56 through which the draw bar 34 extends and is guided for relative rotational and longitudinal motion. The portion 54 is externally threaded and is in threaded engagement with an annular retainer track member 58. The track member 58 has an annular groove or track 60 and is held from axial movement to a bell shaped drive housing 62 by a pair of threaded pins 64. The drive housing 62 has at its forward end an enlarged bore portion 66 which receives the track member 58. While the track member 58 is axially held via threaded pins 64 it can rotate relatively to the drive housing 62. A thrust bearing assembly 68 is located in the bore portion 66 between the track member 58 and a shoulder 70 which is defined by the juncture between the enlarged bore portion 66 and an intermediate bore portion 72. Thus relative axial thrust loads between the collet 26 and the jaws 32 (via the drive housing 62, in a manner to be seen) are reacted against the bearing assembly 68, and friction due to relative rotation of these components is minimized at this point of reaction.

The draw bar 34 is threaded at its rearward end 74 and this end is threadably secured to a reduced diameter threaded bore 76 located at the rearward end of the drive housing 62. The terminating outer surface 78 of the drive housing 62 is formed in a hex shape to facilitate engagement by a wrench or socket fitting of a power tool (neither shown).

To utilize the tool to apply the fastener assembly 12, the jaws 32 are located over the fastener assembly 12 generally as shown in FIG. 1 and torque is applied to the drive housing 62 via the hex end 78 by a rotatable power tool, for example. This will initially tend to rotate the entire tool 10. However, either due to inertia or a slight amount of friction applied to the collet 26, e.g. as by the engagement of the locating member 48 against the nut 20, the drive housing 62 will rotate relative to the draw bar 34. This will result in the collet 26 moving forwardly relative to the draw bar 34 and hence forwardly relative to the jaws 32. As this occurs the jaws 32 will move radially inwardly in to engagement with the nut whereby the nut 20 will be gripped. Note that the drive housing 62 will also rotate relative to the collet 26 via the rotatable coupling provided by threaded pins 64 in groove 60 of track member 58. As the jaws 32 grip the nut 20 the force required to rotate the ,draw bar 34 relative to the drive housing 62 will increase resulting in the entire tool 10 again rotating in LII unison while at the same time the nut 20 is threaded onto the bolt 18. As the nut 20 is tightened against the workpiece 16 the torque required to further turn the nut 20 increases; at the same time the input torque at the hex end 78 increases sufficiently to overcome the load at the threaded connection between draw bar portion 74 and bore 76 and again the drive housing 62 will be rotated relative to the remainder of the assembly resulting in the jaws 32 further crimping into the nut 20. As the crimping load on the threaded connection increases and rotation between draw bar 34 and drive housing 62 ceases the input torque increases further and the tool 10 will again turn in unison and the nut 20 will be additionally torqued onto the bolt 18.

The sequence will continue until the torque required to rotate the nut 20 onto the bolt 18 is higher than that required to rotate the drive housing 62 relative to the draw bar 34, e.g. after the material of the nut 20 is crimped into the threads of the bolt 18. At this time any additional input torque will result in further crimping action since now the torque required to rotate the nut 20 onto the bolt 18 further has increased sharply and greatly exceeds that torque required to rotate the drive housing 62 relative to the draw bar 34. This latter rotation will continue until final crimp occurs. The extent or depth of final crimp is controlled by the amount of relative longitudinal movement between the draw bar 34 and the drive housing 62; this is selectively, adjust able by means of an annular stop bushing 80. The bushing 80 is threadably secured to the threaded draw bar portion 74 within the intermediate bore portion 72. The position of bushing 80 can be adjusted by means of set screws 82 locatable in longitudinally extending slots 84 in the threaded draw bar portion 74. The extent that the jaws 32 are moved inwardly to their crimp position will be set by the selective location of the bushing 80 on the draw bar 34, Le, when the bushing 80 engages the rearward wall 86 of the intermediate bore portion 72. Conversely, the maximum open position of the jaws 32 will be reached when the bushing 80 engages thrust bearing 68. As can be seen the total motion of the jaws 32 will be determined by the distance X, total travel of bushing 80. This distance X, and hence the total motion of jaws 32, can be varied by varying the width of bushing 80.

It is significant to note that the tool 10 performs both torquing and crimping functions and in the form of the tool shown in FIG. 1 both functions are performed by the crimping jaws 32. This dual function occurs as a result of the balance between the torque required to thread the threaded draw bar portion 74 into the threaded bore 76 and the torque required to thread the nut 20 onto the bolt 18. In this regard the mechanical advantage or pitch of the threads on draw bolt portion 74 can be selected such as to facilitate the torquing and crimping action without excessive frictional losses at its threaded connection with drive housing 62. Generally the torque required to turn the draw bar 34 will be determined by the load taken through its threaded connection with the drive housing 62; this load, however, does not remain constant but will increase as the nut 20 is torqued and crimped. This responsiveness to increasing load actually assists the tool 10 in performing its dual function. Thus the jaws 32 move into engagement with the nut portion 24 further inward motion of the jaws 32 is resisted and the axial load on the threaded connection of the draw bar 34 t0 the drive housing 62 increases, resulting in an increase in the level of torque required to rotate the draw bar 34 in the bore 76. Now the tool will rotate in unison and the nut will be rotated on the bolt 18. This mode of operation will continue until the torque required to rotate the nut 20 in creases, i.e., as when the nut 20 engages the workpiece 16. When the torque to turn the nut 20 exceeds that required to turn the drive housing 62 on the draw bar 34, then the drive housing 62 will be rotated on draw bar 34 and the jaws 32 will advance further radially inwardly to crimp the nut 20 to a greater extent. The increased crimping will require greater torque and will increase the axial load on the threaded connection between draw bar 34 and drive housing 62. This increased torque when it exceeds that required to rotate the nut 20 will result in a further tightening of the nut 20 on the bolt 18 until the torque required to tighten the nut 20 exceeds that required to rotate the drive housing 62 on the draw bar 34. The above sequence of events continues until the material of the nut 20 is initially crimped into the threads of the nut 18; at this point, the torque required to rotate the nut 20 increases sharply and further rotation of the nut 20 is stopped. Now the tool 10 functions substantially solely in a crimping mode with the drive housing 62 turning on the draw bar 34 until the stop bushing 80 engages the wall 36. The crimping operation is now completed and the torquing of the tool 10 is discontinued. The tool 10 can be torqued by hand or can be torqued by means of a power torquing tool of a type known in the art; where a power tool is used a torque limiting clutch could be provided to prevent over-torquing of the tool 10 by limiting the input torque to a selected value just in excess of the maximum required for the crimping operation.

It is important to note that the tool 10 while operating in two different modes does so almost in a step fashion with the threaded connection between the draw bar 34 and the drive housing 62, in a sense, acting as a switch which is responsive to the magnitude of the torque load such that the tool 10 will be switched between the nut torquing and crimping mode with the torque at which crimping occurs being automatically varied with the input force or torque. Note also that in either mode the jaws 32 are actuated via the draw bar 34, i.e., either pulled by the draw bar 34 or rotated by the draw bar 34 via connection at flanges 44, 45 and slot 42.

As noted the jaws 32 of the tool 10 grip the nut 20 on the uniform portion 24 and apply torque therethrough. To facilitate initial gripping it may be desirable in some applications to roughen, or otherwise provide a surface finish having a relatively high coefficient of friction, on the uniform portion 24. With this structure then, the tool 10 can be used to set fasteners in which the torqued member such as nut 20, is completely of a uniform structure, i.e., no flats are required, such as hex portion 22.

In FIG. 6 a tool 10a is shown which is of a modified form embodying features of the present invention. In the description of the tool 10a of FIG. 6 components similar to like components of the tool 10 of FIG. 1-5 have been given the same numerical designation with the addition of the letter postscript a.

The tool 10a has a collet member 26a with crimping jaws or fingers 32a located therein (similar to tool 10 of FIGS. ll-S) and are supported on a draw bar 34a. A cup shaped locating member 48a positions teeth 35a relative to the nut 20a, while conical spring washers 52a permit the locating member 48a to move rearwardly relative to the draw bar 34a to compensate for elongation of the nut 20a resulting from crimping.

Collet 26a terminates at its rearward end in a reduced diameter portion 54a which has a through bore 56a through which the draw bar 34a extends and is guided. The portion 54a is in threaded engagement with a retainer track member 58a. Track member 58a has an annular groove or track 60a and is held from axial movement within an enlarged bore portion 66a of a bell shaped drive housing 620 by a pair of threaded pins 64a whereby the track member 58a can rotate relatively to the drive housing 62a. A thrust hearing assembly 68a is located between the track member 58a and a pair of cam rollers which extend radially into the housing 62a. Rollers 100 are rotatably supported on screw members 102.

The draw bar 34a is threaded at its rearward end 74a and this end is threadably secured. to a reduced diameter portion 104 at the rearward end of a cam member 106. The cam member is of a stepped construction and has an enlarged portion 108 slidably supported in bore 66a and has reduced diameter portion 1114 slidably supported in reduced diameter portion 72a.

The cam 106 has a pair of similar cam surfaces 110 and 112, each of which extends for approximately The cam surfaces 110 and 112 engage the rollers 100 and as the drive housing 62a rotates relative to the draw bar 34a, the cam 106 is moved axially rearwardly along with the draw bar 34a. This of course causes the jaws 32a to move radially inwardly to crimp the nut 20a. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the tool of FIG. 6 also functions such that the jaws 32a perform both the torquing and crimping functions in recurring steps. Thus initially the jaws 32a are closed upon the nut 20a as the rollers 100 move relatively easily par tially along the cam surfaces 1111, 112 with the drive housing 62a rotating relatively to the, draw bar 34a (and cam 1116). At this point the torque required for further relative rotation will increase until a level of torque is reached at which the nut 20a will be rotated onto the bolt 18a and at this time the tool 10a will rotate in unison. Eventually the torque required to tighten the nut 20a will increase, i.e., as it engages the workpiece 16a, and the rollers 10!) will be rotated farther along the cam surfaces 110 and 112 with the drive housing 62a rotating relative to the draw bar 34a. This will result in further crimping action by the jaws 32a which increase the axial load on the cam and hence increases the torque required to move the rollers 100 along the cam surfaces 110 and 112. Further torquing of the nut 20a can occur and the sequence can repeat until the jaws 32a crimp the material of the nut 20a into the threads of the bolt 18a; at this time the torque required to rotate the nut 20a on the bolt 18a rises sharply and the tool 10a operates now solely in the crimping mode. The crimping will continue until the rollers 100 pass the crest of the cam surfaces 110 and 112. At this time the tool 10a will return to its original position as shown in FIG. 6; a light return spring 114 urges the cam 106 to its original position. In this regard the tool 10a is self releasing, i.e., no reverse torque is required to remove it from the fastener.

The total radial travel of the jaws 32a is controlled by the total rise of the cam surfaces 110, 112. The initial jaw opening and the maximum depth of crimp is determined by the relative position at which the draw bar 340 is fixed to the cam 106. This position is adjustably selected by the threaded connection of draw bar portion 74a in cam portion 104; the selected position is fixed via set screws 82a which are threaded into cam portion 104 and engages axial slots 84a in draw bar portion 74a.

The cam angle or rise of the cam surfaces 110 and 112 is selected to balance with the torque required to torque the nut 20a onto the bolt 18a in a manner similar to the selection of the balance between the threaded connection of tool of FIGS. 15. The tool 100 has a portion 78a having a hex shape to facilitate gripping by a suitable hand or power tool.

In FIGS. 712 a tool 10b is shown which is of a modified form embodying features of the present invention. In the description of the tool 10b of FIG. 7-12 components similar to like components of the tool 10 of FIG. 1-5 have been given the same numerical designation with the addition of the letter postscript b.

The tool 10b has a collet member 26b with crimping jaws or fingers 32b located therein (similar to tool 10 of FIGS. 1-5) and are supported on a draw bar assembly 34b. A cup shaped locating member 48b positions teeth 35b relative to the nut 20b, while conical spring washers 52b permit the locating member 48b to move rearwardly relative to the draw bar assembly 34b to compensate for elongation of the nut 20b resulting from crimping. The member 48!) is connected to the draw bar assembly 341) via a bolt and washer assembly 50b.

Collet 26b terminates at its rearward end in an end portion 54b which has a through bore 56b through which the draw bar assembly 34b extends and is guided.

The end portion 54b is in threaded engagement with the forward end 120 of drive housing 62b. In order to minimize frictional loads the tool 10b is provided with a recirculating ball nut assembly 122. The ball nut assembly 122, can be of a construction generally well known in the art, and includes a ball screw 124 and a ball nut member 126 which are coupled together by a plurality of ball members 128. The ball members 128 are continuously recirculated via tracks 130 in the ball nut member 126. The draw bar assembly 34b includes a jaw connecting member 132 and the ball screw 124. The jaw connecting member 132 is similar to the forward portion of draw bar 34 of FIGS. 1-5 and has a groove 42); defined by spaced flanges 44b and 45b. Groove 42b has a square cross section as does flange 45b to provide a rotary drive connection between draw bar assembly 34!) and jaws 32b. The jaw connecting memer 132 is threadably connected to ball screw 124 via a threaded stud 134 and threaded bore 136, respectively. The tool 10b, functions similarly to tool 10 of FIGS. 1-5. The ball nut 126 is adapted, in a manner to be described, to receive the input torque to actuate tool 1012. As torque is applied to ball nut 126 it will either rotate relatively to the ball screw 124 or will result in the entire tool 10b rotating. When the ball nut 126 rotates the ball screw 124 (and hence draw bar assembly 3412 will move longitudinally resulting in radial movement of the jaws 32b. A thrust bearing assembly 68b is located between the forward end of ball nut member 126 and the end portion 54b of collet 26!).

As with the embodiment of FIGs. 1-5, the tool of FIG. 7 also functions such that the jaws 32b perform both the torquing and crimping functions in recurring steps.

The input torque to the ball nut 126 is provided via a torque multiplier or planetary gear assembly 140. The recirculating ball nut assembly 122 is located within the housing 62h with the ball nut 126 located in an enlarged bore 142; the housing 62!) terminates at its rearward end 144 in a reduced diameter bore 146 which communicates with enlarged bore 142.

The planetary gear assembly includes an annular ring gear 148 which is fixed to the rearward end 144 of the housing 62b via bolts 150. The ring gear 148 is further held from rotation by means of fingers 152 engaged in slots 154 in the rearward end 144.

A plurality of planet gears 156 are rotatably supported on shafts 158 which are held at opposite ends by an outer support plate 160 and an output drive plate 162. The shafts 158 are held at one end by an interference fit in bores 164 in output drive plate 162 and with a slip fit in bores 166 in outer support plate 160. The support plate 160 and drive plate 162 are held together by bolts 168. The support plate 160 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections 170 which engage the drive plates 162 and define a plurality of pockets 172 for the planet gears 156. The axial extent of projections 170 is selected to be sufficient to permit the plates 160 and 162 to be secured together while permitting some axial clearance for the planet gears 156 in the pockets 172. As assembled the gears 156 are in mesh with the fixed ring gear 148. The output drive plate 162 is provided with a plurality of axially extending drive fingers 174. The fingers 174 are located in slots 176 in a drive coupling ring 178 which is threadably secured to the rearward end 180 of the ball nut 126. Thus as the output drive plate 162 is rotated it will rotate the ball nut 126 via the coupling ring 178. An input socket member 182 has an enlarged outer end 184 with a smooth circular outer surface and with a square sectioned bore 186 adapted to receive a square male member from an appropriate powered or hand operated driving too].

The socket member 182 has at its opposite end a support portion 188 which is of a circular cross section. The socket member 182 has its outer end 184 rotatably supported in a bore 190 in support plate 160 and has support portion 188 rotatably supported in a bore 182 in drive plate 162. The outer end 184 has a flange 194 located in counterbore 193 in support plate 160 whereby the socket member 182 is axially restrained. A sun gear 196 is drivingly supported on a hexed portion 198 of socket member 182 located between support portions 184 and 188. Sun gear 196 has a hexagonally sectioned bore 200 to matingly fit the hexed portion 198 of socket member 182 and is supported to mesh the planet gears 156.

In operation the sun gear 196 is rotated via an appropriate tool connected to socket member 182. Since the ring gear 148 is fixed the planet gears 156 will rotate about shafts 158 and also about the axis of the sun gear 196; this will result in rotation of output drive plate 162 and hence in rotation of ball nut 126. This in turn results in longitudinal movement of the draw bar assembly 34b (via the ball screw 124).

The depth of crimp ofjaws 32b will be determined by the magnitude of rearward, longitudinal motion of draw bar assembly 34b. This limit is fixed by a rearward stop defined by the shoulder 4412 on jaw connecting member 1132 and a shoulder 202 on end portion 54b of collet 26b.

The forward motion of the ball screw 1124 (and hence draw bar assembly 34b) relative to ball nut 1126 is limited by a stop washer 204 which is fixed to the rearward end of ball screw 124 via a bolt 206.

The ball nut 126 has return passages or tubes 208 by which the ball members 128 circulate. These tubes 208 extend radially beyond the reduced diameter bore M6 of housing 6217. To facilitate assembly of the ball nut 126 through bore 146 and into the bore 142 of housing 62h, the bore 146 is provided with a notched portion 210 of increased diameter.

With the tool 10b of the present invention, the frictional loads between the relatively rotatable members has been reduced via the use of a recirculating ball nut assembly 122; this provides a tool having reliable torquing and crimping characteristicsv While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and wherein a plurality of jaw means comprise said first means and are in cluded in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.

2. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and with said first means comprising a plurality of jaw members actuable to engage and crimp that one of the members, said second means also including said plurality ofjaw members actuable to engage and rotate that one of the members.

3. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means including a pair of threaded members with one of said threaded members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said threaded members being connectd to said jaw members.

4. The tool of claim I with said coupling means ineluding a pair of threaded members with one of said ill) threaded members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said threaded members being connected to at least one of said first and second means.

5. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means including a pair of co-operating cam members with one of said cam members connected to said drive means and with the other of said cam members being connected to said jaw member.

6. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and with said coupling means including a pair of cooperating cam mem bers with one of said cam members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said cam members being connected to at least one of said first and second means.

7. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, with the load for crimping varying in magnitude, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other with the load for torquing varying in magnitude, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force relative to crimping and torquing forces, and wherein a plurality of jaw means comprise said first means and are included in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.

8. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, responsive to a first torque, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other in response to a second torque, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input torque for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input torque to al ternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input torque and of the magnitude of said first and second torques, and wherein a pluarlity of plurality means comprise said first means and are included in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.

9. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality ofjaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement, draw bar means having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, and coupling means connected to said drive means and to the opposite end of said draw bar means and responsive to the magnitude of said input torque for alternately applying torque to said draw bar means for rotating said jaw members or for applying a longitudinal force to said draw bar means.

10. The tool of claim 9 with said drive means alternately applying torque and longitudinal force to said draw bar means in response to variations in the magnitude of said input torque.

11. The tool of claim 9 with said coupling means comprising a threaded connection between said opposite end and said drive means.

12. The tool of claim 9 with said coupling means comprising a cam assembly connected between said opposite end and said drive means.

13. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality ofjaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members, upon such relative axial movement a draw bar having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, a drive housing adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, said drive housing threadably connected to the opposite end of said draw bar whereby torque applied to said drive housing will either rotate said drive housing relative to said draw bar causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said drive housing and said draw bar will rotate together causing rotation of said jaw members and rotation of the one member on the other.

14. The tool of claim 13 further comprising track means for connecting said housing means and said drive housing axially to each other and for supporting said housing means and said drive housing for relative rotation.

15. The tool of claim 13 further comprising stop means secured on said draw bar at selected positions for providing selective adjustment of the radial movement of said jaw member in crimping.

16. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality ofjaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement a draw bar having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, a drive housing adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, a first cam member connected to said drive bar, a second cam member connected to said drive housing, said first and second cam members having engaging portions whereby torque applied to said drive housing will either rotate said drive housing relative to said draw bar causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said drive housing and said draw bar will rotate together causing rotation of said jaw members and rotation of the one member on the other.

17. The tool of claim 16 further comprising track means for connecting said housing means and said drive housing axially to each other and for supporting said housing means and said drive housing for relative rotation.

18. The tool of claim 16 further comprising stop means secured on said draw bar at selected positions for providing selected adjustment of the radial movement of said jaw member in crimping.

19. The tool of claim 16 with one of said cam members having a cam surface and the other being a cam roller, said cam surface having a total rise determining the depth of crimp, said cam members adapted to be rotated relatively for 360 to provide a self-releasing structure.

20. The tool of claim 4 with said coupling means further comprising antifriction means operatively connecting said pair of threaded members together.

21. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.

22. The tool of claim 1 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising torque multiplying means for providing an increase in output torque from the input torque of the rotary drive.

23. The tool of claim 21 with said drive means comprising torque multiplying means for providing an increase in output torque from the input torque of the rotary drive.

24. The tool of claim 7 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.

25. The tool of claim 8 with said coupling means further comprising antifriction means operatively connecting said drive means and at least one of said first means and said second means.

26. The tool of claim 25 with said antifriction means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball out subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.

27. The tool of claim 8 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive providing a driving torque and with said drive means comprising torque multiplying means for providing a multiplied input torque relative to the driving torque.

28. The tool of claim 27 with said torque multiplying means comprising a planetary gear assembly.

29. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality of jaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement, a draw bar assembly having one end connected to said jaw membersfor moving said jaw members axially, a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, said ball screw member connected at the opposite end of said draw bar assembly, and drive means connected to said ball nut subassembly for applying an input torque thereto which will either rotate said ball nut subassembly relative to said ball screw member and hence relative to said draw bar assembly causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member will rotate together causing rotation of the one member on the other.

30. The tool of claim 29 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising torque multiplying means for providing said input torque having a magnitude which is a preselected multiple times the drive torque applied by the rotary drive.

31. The tool of claim 29 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising a planetary gear assembly connected to be driven by the rotary drive and further connected to said ball nut subassembly.

32. The tool of claim 29 with said planetary gear assembly comprising a fixed ring gear, a planet gear subassembly drivingly connected to said ball nut subassembly, and a sun gear adapted to be driven by the rotary drive.

33. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: jaw means actuable for gripping and crimping one of the members, and means connected to said jaw means for alternately actuating sai jaw means in one mode to rotate one of the members relative to the other and to another mode to crimp that one of the members, and with said means operable in response to a predetermined amount of rotation in one direction for actuating said jaw means and being operable for deactuating said jaw means upon a further rotation in an opposite direction whereby said jaw means will self-release,

and wherein said means include drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said jaw means,

and wherein said drive means alternately apply torque and longitudinal force in response to variations in the magnitude of the input torque.

34. The tool of claim 33 further characterized as including coupling means for connecting said drive means and with said coupling means including antifriction means operatively connecting the said drive means and said jaw means.

35. The tool of claim 34 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member.

36. The tool of claim 33 further comprising antifriction bearing means operatively inter-connected be tween said drive means and said jaw means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 7.92, 532 Dated February 19, 1974 Inventor(s) William E. Pinkerton It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 56, "shaft" should be -shape-.

Column 2, line 59, "elarged" should be -enlarged--.

Column 7, line 6, "engages" should be "engage".-

Column 7, line "memer should be "member-n Column 7, line 62 after "34b" should be Column 10, line 66, "pluarli ty" should be --plurality--.

Column 10,111; 66, deletesecond occurrence of "plurality" and insert -.jaw-. Column 11, claim 16, line 66, delete "drive" and insert -draw--.

Column 14, claim 33, line 8, "sai" should be said-.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of July 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attes ting Officer Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-105O (10-69) USClOMM-DC 60375-1 09 9 U5 GOVIINMINT PIINTINKQOFIIC! "l! O-Jl-3ll 

1. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and wherein a plurality of jaw means comprise said first means and are included in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.
 2. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alterNately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and with said first means comprising a plurality of jaw members actuable to engage and crimp that one of the members, said second means also including said plurality of jaw members actuable to engage and rotate that one of the members.
 3. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means including a pair of threaded members with one of said threaded members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said threaded members being connectd to said jaw members.
 4. The tool of claim 1 with said coupling means including a pair of threaded members with one of said threaded members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said threaded members being connected to at least one of said first and second means.
 5. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means including a pair of co-operating cam members with one of said cam members connected to said drive means and with the other of said cam members being connected to said jaw member.
 6. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force, and with said coupling means including a pair of co-operating cam members with one of said cam members being connected to said drive means and with the other of said cam members being connected to at least one of said first and second means.
 7. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, with the load for crimping varying in magnitude, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other with the load for torquing varying in magnitude, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input force to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input force relative to crimping and torquing forces, and wherein a plurality of jaw means comprise said first means and are included in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.
 8. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: first means actuable for crimping one of the members, having a generally uniform cylindrical surface, responsive to a first torque, second means actuable for torquing that one of the members relative to the other in response to a second torque, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input torque for energizing said first and second means, and coupling means for connecting said drive means alternately to said first means and to said second means and responsive to the magnitude of said input torque to alternately actuate said first means and said second means at instances varying in accordance with variations in said magnitude of said input tOrque and of the magnitude of said first and second torques, and wherein a plurality of jaw means comprise said first means and are included in said second means, and said jaw means being operable for torquing said one member at its cylindrical surface and subsequently crimping said one member.
 9. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality of jaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement, draw bar means having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, and coupling means connected to said drive means and to the opposite end of said draw bar means and responsive to the magnitude of said input torque for alternately applying torque to said draw bar means for rotating said jaw members or for applying a longitudinal force to said draw bar means.
 10. The tool of claim 9 with said drive means alternately applying torque and longitudinal force to said draw bar means in response to variations in the magnitude of said input torque.
 11. The tool of claim 9 with said coupling means comprising a threaded connection between said opposite end and said drive means.
 12. The tool of claim 9 with said coupling means comprising a cam assembly connected between said opposite end and said drive means.
 13. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality of jaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members, upon such relative axial movement a draw bar having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, a drive housing adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, said drive housing threadably connected to the opposite end of said draw bar whereby torque applied to said drive housing will either rotate said drive housing relative to said draw bar causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said drive housing and said draw bar will rotate together causing rotation of said jaw members and rotation of the one member on the other.
 14. The tool of claim 13 further comprising track means for connecting said housing means and said drive housing axially to each other and for supporting said housing means and said drive housing for relative rotation.
 15. The tool of claim 13 further comprising stop means secured on said draw bar at selected positions for providing selective adjustment of the radial movement of said jaw member in crimping.
 16. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality of jaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement a draw bar having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, a drive housing adapted to be driven for providing an input torque to said tool, a first cam member connected to said draw bar, a second cam member connected to said drive housing, said first and second cam members having engaging portions whereby torque applied to said drive housing will either rotate said drive housing relative to said draw bar causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said drive housing and said draw bar will rotate together causing rotation of said jaw members and rotation of the one member on the other.
 17. The tool of claim 16 further comprising track means for connecting said housing means and said drive housing axially to each other and For supporting said housing means and said drive housing for relative rotation.
 18. The tool of claim 16 further comprising stop means secured on said draw bar at selected positions for providing selected adjustment of the radial movement of said jaw member in crimping.
 19. The tool of claim 16 with one of said cam members having a cam surface and the other being a cam roller, said cam surface having a total rise determining the depth of crimp, said cam members adapted to be rotated relatively for 360* to provide a self-releasing structure.
 20. The tool of claim 4 with said coupling means further comprising antifriction means operatively connecting said pair of threaded members together.
 21. The tool of claim 2 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.
 22. The tool of claim 1 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising torque multiplying means for providing an increase in output torque from the input torque of the rotary drive.
 23. The tool of claim 21 with said drive means comprising torque multiplying means for providing an increase in output torque from the input torque of the rotary drive.
 24. The tool of claim 7 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.
 25. The tool of claim 8 with said coupling means further comprising antifriction means operatively connecting said drive means and at least one of said first means and said second means.
 26. The tool of claim 25 with said antifriction means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, means connecting one of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to said drive means and connecting the other of said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member to at least one of said first and second means.
 27. The tool of claim 8 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive providing a driving torque and with said drive means comprising torque multiplying means for providing a multiplied input torque relative to the driving torque.
 28. The tool of claim 27 with said torque multiplying means comprising a planetary gear assembly.
 29. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: a plurality of jaw members, housing means supporting said jaw members for relative axial movement and actuating said jaw members radially for crimping one of the members upon such relative axial movement, a draw bar assembly having one end connected to said jaw members for moving said jaw members axially, a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member, said ball screw member connected at the opposite end of said draw bar assembly, and drive means connected to said ball nut subassembly for applying an input torque thereto which will either rotate said ball nut subassembly relative to said ball screw member and hence relative to said draw bar assembly causing axial movement of said jaw members and crimping of the one of the members or said ball nut subassembly and said ball screw member will rotate together causing rotation of the one member on the other.
 30. The tool of claim 29 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising torque multiplying means for providing said input torque having a magnitude which is a preselected multiple timeS the drive torque applied by the rotary drive.
 31. The tool of claim 29 with said drive means adapted to be driven by a rotary drive and comprising a planetary gear assembly connected to be driven by the rotary drive and further connected to said ball nut subassembly.
 32. The tool of claim 29 with said planetary gear assembly comprising a fixed ring gear, a planet gear subassembly drivingly connected to said ball nut subassembly, and a sun gear adapted to be driven by the rotary drive.
 33. A tool for setting a fastener which includes a male and female member adapted to be threaded together, said tool comprising: jaw means actuable for gripping and crimping one of the members, and means connected to said jaw means for alternately actuating said jaw means in one mode to rotate one of the members relative to the other and to another mode to crimp that one of the members, and with said means operable in response to a predetermined amount of rotation in one direction for actuating said jaw means and being operable for deactuating said jaw means upon a further rotation in an opposite direction whereby said jaw means will self-release, and wherein said means include drive means adapted to be driven for providing an input force for energizing said jaw means, and wherein said drive means alternately apply torque and longitudinal force in response to variations in the magnitude of the input torque.
 34. The tool of claim 33 further characterized as including coupling means for connecting said drive means and with said coupling means including antifriction means operatively connecting the said drive means and said jaw means.
 35. The tool of claim 34 with said coupling means comprising a recirculating ball nut assembly including a ball nut subassembly and a ball screw member.
 36. The tool of claim 33 further comprising antifriction bearing means operatively inter-connected between said drive means and said jaw means. 